This may be one of the most important health issues of our time!
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CHANGE THE QUESTION
We now know that childhood trauma changes the bodies and brains of children, and the way they approach life. Trauma, if left untreated, impacts physical and mental health, social connections, and even lifespan. Understanding what has happened in a person’s past, and helping them see the connection to their current behaviors, emotions, and health can be the first step to empower individuals to move from trauma to resiliency. Trauma-informed care changes the question from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”
A DIFFERENT APPROACH
With guidance from the USD Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment, and in partnership with The ACE Interface Program, Children’s Home Society (CHS) is launching an initiative to support trauma informed care through resilient communities. An inaugural initiative event includes bringing Dr. Robert Anda, co-founder of the Adverse Childhood Experience study, and Laura Porter, former director of the Washington Family Policy Council, to kick-off this statewide launch in January of 2018. Together we will learn from one another.
SOUTH DAKOTA STEPS UP TO THE PLATE
Our goal is to begin a dialogue around the topic of trauma and create a shared language and understanding of effective responses to trauma. The exciting part? To start thinking about a united, yet community-customized approach to the integration of trauma informed care in communities all across South Dakota.
WE NEED YOU AT THE TABLE
Once presented with information, each community will create its own path toward becoming a resilient community. And what might that look like? It may be a hospital providing ACEs information to new parents. Child protection workers can use trauma research to help foster parents meet the needs of children in their care. A school may incorporate mindfulness into their discipline strategies. A police department may train officers to understand the impact of domestic violence on children and thus the benefit of early intervention. What happens in South Dakota will depend upon who comes to the table!
EXCITING THINGS ARE HAPPENING!
As this information spreads and begins to resonate, individuals will be inspired to make changes in their own lives and promote change within their circle of influence. Other communities across the country who have integrated trauma informed care into the fabric of their communities are showing results. The city of Walla Walla, Washington, has documented a 33% decrease in domestic violence cases, a 59% decrease in youth suicide attempts, and a 62% decrease in high school dropouts. What might be possible in South Dakota?
WHERE DO WE BEGIN?
First of all, “WE” is an all-call across our great state! That includes health and mental health care providers, educators, law enforcement, clergy, business people, philanthropists, community members, parents, foster and adoptive parents, the courts, child advocacy groups—just anyone excited to become part of collectively addressing the issue of trauma and what can be done to prevent or counter its effects.
Children’s Home Society will facilitate dialogue, invite and welcome players to the table, host training events, track and communicate progress, and keep the momentum going! Together we will build our communities’ paths to resilience, one conversation at a time.
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